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Winter sets in and how!
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Family Welfare & Health Fair Begins
Cops Under Scanner
Sarpanch switches loyalty, joins BJP
Despite order, three schools remain open in Barnala
Uproar mars planning board, Zila Parishad elections
Jail for women demanded
BSF nabs Pak intruder in Fazilka
AK-47 rifle snatched away from head constable
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Winter sets in and how!
Bathinda, December 10 The optimism, however, did not last as rain lashed the city bringing the temperature down and winter heralding its triumphant onset in the area. The minimum temperature had earlier dipped to 10 degree Celsius with peak winter yet to set in while the humidity level rose to 96 per cent, most conducive for the formation of smog and fog that so troubles people. With the arrival of winter, the woes of people in Bathinda also increase. Air pollution here turns into smog aggravating the condition of patients suffering from bronchitis, asthma and other respiratory problems. The low temperature coupled with high humidity results in occurrence of ground level smog making people gasp for breath. The most harmful components of smog are ground-level ozone and fine air-borne particles. Ground-level ozone is formed when pollutants released from gasoline and diesel-powered vehicles and oil-based solvents react with heat and sunlight and prove to be harmful. The pall of haze hanging over the town and smog, formed by mixing of dust, carbon particles and sulphur dioxide, create problems for people, especially in the morning and evening. The heat and sunlight reacts with pollutants and emits gases injurious to health while poor visibility results in frequent road accidents. Bathinda has been in the news of late for air and water pollution due to factors like emissions from vehicular traffic, biochemical industry and excessive use of insecticide. The situation becomes worse during winter. According to official sources, level of sulphur dioxide was 7.1 ug/m3 in September this year. This level is expected to go up as last year, the month of December witnessed a level of 11.7
ug/m3. |
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Markfed factor doing wonders for farmers in Talwandi Sabo
Bathinda, December 10 The average yield per acre of raw cotton in Talwandi Sabo block is expected to be 22 maunds (1 maund = 37.324 kg) this year, as compared to an expected 18 maunds in the state. Though, last year, the average yield per acre of raw cotton in Punjab was 23 maunds, the Talwandi Sabo block had 19.21 maunds to its kitty. Though the total area cotton in Punjab has increased from 5.9 lakh hectares to 6.48 lakh hectares this year, the production across the state has shown a downward trend. On December 7 this year, the total arrival of cotton in Punjab mandis was 9.75 lakh bales, as compared to 11.5 lakh bales at the corresponding time last year. In the mandis across the state, raw cotton is selling at a price around Rs 2400-2500 per quintal, last year it was sold at around Rs 2025-2200 per quintal. According to G. S. Grewal, managing director, Markfed, `` The CM Punjab held a meeting regarding cotton on March 19 this year, in which he wanted Markfed to adopt these 48 villages in Talwandi Sabo block. The average increase of yield per acre of raw cotton in these villages have gone up by 2.79 mounds, which will benefit the farmers economically.’’ Bal Mukand Sharma, chief manager (inputs), Markfed, said, ``Even the National Commission of Farmers has said recently that almost 60 per cent of Bt cotton seeds sown in Punjab were spurious. The area under cultivation of all kinds of Bt varieties in Punjab this year increased to 5.57 lakh hectares from 3.84 lakh hectares last year. Area under BT cotton in Talwandi Sabo block also increased from 13471 acres in 2006-07 to 24016 acres this year.’’ OSD (cotton), Markfed, Bathinda, Mandeep Singh Brar, “After Markfed adopted these villages in Talwandi Sabo block, the area under cotton went up from 86,916 acres in 2006-07 to 88,023 acres this year.” |
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Family Welfare & Health Fair Begins
Ferozepur, December 10 Mann was accompanied by deputy commissioner Bhagwant Singh, civil surgeon S.S.Walia, SMO M. S. Tinna, MO G. S. Dhillon, who also addressed the gathering. While lauding the efforts of the health department in organising free health checkups, Mann said this initiative would go a long way in providing much needed healthcare, especially to the poor people belonging to the below poverty line (BPL) strata, who lack awareness about various diseases. Mann said that stringent action should be taken against the errant doctors who were resorting to unethical practices. He added that already seven FIRs had been registered against doctors in connection with sex determination tests under the PNDT Act and the MTP Act implemented by the
government. It is pertinent to mention that Mann had released an amount of Rs 8 lakh under the MPLAD funds to organise this health fair, wherein free check-ups and subsequent treatment of over 31 diseases was taken up today. Today, Mann announced another grant of Rs 2 lakh for new deep bore-well in the civil hospital so as to provide clean potable water to the patients. The DC said as per the latest reports of the WHO, the sex ratio in this district was 905 women to 1000 men which was a matter of grave concern. He said that an 11-member health and cleanliness committees have been constituted in all villages of the district and they had been given a grant of Rs 10,000 each to supervise healthcare programmes in rural areas. Walia said that in order to provide better health services in this border district of Punjab, various measures had been initiated by the department. |
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Cops Under Scanner
Ferozepur, December 10 Giving details, SSP Dinesh Pratap, whose brainchild the move is, said that with the installation of these cameras in the office, round-the-clock vigil on the work going on in different departments, especially where public dealing was involved, could be kept. He added that the idea was to ensure transparency in police functioning and provide better services to the public. The SSP hoped that this way, the police would be able to bring much needed discipline in the work culture and avoid any dereliction of duty. In the first phase, the cameras have been installed in the security wing, CPRC office, passport branch, verification branch, PC branch, establishment wing and visitors’ lounge besides two main roundabouts in the town. Subsequently, the cameras would be installed at other places when requisite funds were available, averred the SSP. The SSP said that since this border district was spread in an area measuring over 120 km in length, it was important to keep tab on the functioning of police stations and offices in remote areas where otherwise one could not visit frequently. However, with the installation of online CCTVs, one could keep a check on their work sitting right at headquarters only. Likewise, the functioning of the district office can be monitored on the laptop while on the move, stated the SSP. The official said that in due course, such arrangements should be made at all sensitive points around the district which would help in ensuring safety and maintenance of law and order besides better service to the general public. |
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Lawyers adamant, threaten to intensify stir
Bathinda, December 10 Days after submitting a memorandum to the chief minister, the lawyers were on the street again, protesting against the police by staging a dharna and raising slogans outside the mini-secretariat. They were demanding the suspension of a sub-inspector and marched towards the bus stand to mark their protest, today. President of the District Bar Association, J. R. Khattar announced that he would go on a two-day hunger strike, from Wednesday. Four other advocates would follow, he added and explained the step as ‘just a token of full-fledged protest.’ The lawyers further disclosed that they would meet the High Court inspecting judge for the area, Justice Mahesh Grover, on Tuesday, to inform him about the situation. Secretary of the District Bar Association, Har Raj Singh said, “We have issued a request letter to all Bar Associations in the state to suspend work on Tuesday. We have been assured of all co-operation,” he added. On the issue of hunger strike, he differed from Khattar, saying it had not yet been decided but would be used as a last resort. It is also believed that the
lawyers have chalked up a strategy under which they would stage a protest march everyday. “It is unfortunate. The lawyers have submitted a memorandum to the chief minister, so they should have patience. Earlier, they had adopted the policy of ‘wait-and-watch’, but their dharna again today does not sound appropriate,” was the opinion of people in general in the city, who were contacted for their views. |
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Sarpanch switches loyalty, joins BJP
Fazilka, December 10 They joined the BJP in the presence of local BJP MLA and vice-president of the Punjab BJP, Surjit Kumar Jyani, at a special function organised in the village. Mahinder Chahar was considered an old time associate of the former Congress MLA Mohinder Kumar Rinwa and his leaving the party is considered as a setback for the Congress in the Fazilka Assembly segment. Chahar, on the other hand said that he had quit the party as he felt suffocated because of the style of “functioning” of Rinwa. He said that he did not join the BJP out of any consideration or fear, but because he was impressed with the policies of Jyani and the BJP. MLA Surjit Kumar Jyani, while addressing the gathering, welcomed the entry of Chahar and his supporters into the party fold and said that all new entrants would be given due regard in the party. He said that he would strive hard to ensure the all-round development of the village. Jyani also inaugurated a computer room in the
government school located in the village. |
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In record books with rare currency
Abohar, December 10 A resident of Dharampura village near here, Gaurav started collecting the rare currencies in 2001 and his collection has now grown to 90 notes. Gaurav has in his collection, currency notes in Re 1, Rs 5, 10 and 100 denominations of George V and George VI period. White handmade moulder paper had been used for issuing the currency on November 30, 1917. Gaurav has a Re 1 note when it was first issued. The second such currency was issued on July 24, 1940. A book titled ‘Indian Paper Money’ by Kishore Jhunjhunwalla verifies the importance of such
currencies. The World War II broke out in September 1939 and there was a serious crunch in metallic supplies during the war, the worst hit being the coins of small denominations. Many princely states in India issued coupons to replace the scarce coins. Gaurav’s collection includes such cash coupons of Kota, Bikaner, Nawalgarh, Bundi, Indargarh and Junagarh states of Rajasthan, Kalat of Baluchistan and Khairpur of Sind province that is now in neighbouring Pakistan. He possesses donation coupons of War Purpose Fund, Bikaner, also.
Hyderabad, the largest princely state, issued a legal paper currency on regular basis from 1917 to 1952. The Osmania notes of Re 1, Rs 5 and 10 are also in Gaurav’s possession. The collector also has the notes produced by the Reserve Bank of India for the government of Pakistan in April 1948 and the government of Burma in 1938. He has got some leather currency also. Born on September 10, 1993, Gaurav’s hobbies are a matter of inheritance. A student of class IX in Bishop Cotton School, Shimla, Gaurav was at home to spend his winter
vacations. A meritorious student, Gaurav Seemar, won a shooting championship in sub-junior category of 10th All India Kumar Surendra Singh Inter-school Championship held at Ahmedabad in November last year. |
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Despite order, three schools remain open in Barnala
Barnala, December 10 Internal committee member of the SGPC Baba Tek Singh Dhanula, who heads the three schools, said since there had been many holidays during the year, the management would have to bear parents’ wrath had the schools remained closed today. Surinder Singh, senior leader of Sadhowalia SAD (A), said if the institutions run by members of SGPC did not bother to respect a holiday declared on Guru Tegh Bahadur’s martyrdom day, what else could they expect from the other institutions then? Saying that he had not received the government’s order in this regard, deputy commissioner R.L. Mehta said if there were any violation of orders, strict disciplinary action would be taken against those responsible. However, the deputy commissioner’s office along with other offices of the state here remained closed today. Earlier also, on the death anniversary of Harchand Singh Longowal, the then deputy commissioner, V.K. Ohri, had declared August 20 as a holiday under the Negotiable Instruments Act, and ordered all the schools and government offices to remain closed on the day. But Baba Gandha Singh Public School, Barnala, remained open even on that day. |
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Rajindra College wins cricket tourney
Bathinda, December 10 After winning the toss, N. S. Government College decided to bat first and scored 148 runs for the loss of 7 wickets in 35 overs. Jaswinder was unbeaten at 34, Sahil scored 24 and Parminder 26. Gurtek of Government Rajindra College clinched two vital wickets in three overs. In reply, Government Rajindra College achieved the target in just 21 overs losing just five wickets. Lakhvir scored 50 runs in 38 balls and Parminder Walia scored a quick 34-run knock in 25 balls. Mukhdeep was the pick of the bowlers taking three wickets and conceding just 32 runs. Jagrup Singh Brar, MLA, British Columbia (Canada), distributed prizes to the winners while Government Rajindra College principal, R.K. Bangar proposed the vote of thanks. |
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Kids set the ramp on fire
Bathinda, December 10 The combined dance show put up by the students and the teachers was the highlight of the function and was applauded by all. DC Rahul Tewari was the chief guest on the occasion. |
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Uproar mars planning board, Zila Parishad elections
Moga, December 10 After members of the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) and the Congress refused to budge, the concerned authorities decided to distribute seats equally between them. For the two-member district planning board, each member was picked up from both the parties. All 10 members present in the election for Zila Parishad were
chosen. — TNS |
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Jail for women demanded
Mansa, December 10 While children below 18 years were sent to observation home at
Faridkot, juvenile girls were sent to Jalandhar. Adult women offenders were kept at Central Jail,
Bathinda, as under- trials or convicts, she added. Rekha Sharma said that the women and child development department should set up a jail for women, an observation home and a hostel for working women of Mansa district. |
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BSF nabs Pak intruder in Fazilka
Fazilka, December 10 According to FIR lodged with the Sadar police by Assistant Commandant Surjit Singh of
BSF, a Pakistani intruder was noticed at the Gulaba Bhaini border check- post in the Fazilka sector last night. The jawans immediately arrested him and handed him over to the police. The intruder has been identified as Kaisor Abbas (37), a resident of Dandashah Bilawar village of the Bhola Raj sub-division of the Chakwal district of Pakistan. Pakistani currency worth of Rs 2,120, a driving
licence, a hand-written note and two visiting cards have been recovered from him. A case under various sections of the IPC has been registered against the intruder who is being interrogated to ascertain more details. |
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AK-47 rifle snatched away from head constable
Moga, December 10 According to police sources, the incident occurred when the two bodyguards of Mohan Lal Sethi, former district president of the BJP, were getting his vehicle repaired on the Ferozepur road. Till the filing of this report, the police had not filed any case, as an inquiry was going on.
— TNS |
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